“Everyone has written him off” – Liverpool star backed to silence his critics | OneFootball

Alexander Isak Has a Point to Prove in Liverpool’s New Season

Liverpool do not need a complicated story here. They need goals, availability and a centre-forward who looks like a £125m striker. That is the starting point with Alexander Isak heading into the new campaign.

Credit to Troy Deeney for BBC Sport, who cut through the noise and landed on the central issue. As he put it, “They are decently balanced although I still think they need an additional left-back and an extra midfielder.

“Ultimately they have got one X-factor, Isak. He is a top goalscorer who has got a point to prove because everyone has written him off.”

That assessment feels fair. Liverpool have areas that still need attention, but the season will swing on whether Isak can stay fit and produce at the level expected when the club made him their record signing. Last season never got going properly. A broken leg and a long spell out wrecked any rhythm, and four goals in 22 appearances is not what anyone had in mind.

Isak Form Could Define Liverpool Season

There is no need to overthink the criticism. When a striker costs £125m and delivers a modest return, people will talk. That comes with the fee, the role and the club. The question now is what comes next, and there are at least some encouraging signs.

Photo: IMAGO

In pre-season, Isak has looked sharper. The movement has been cleaner, the touch more assured and there are early hints of understanding with Florian Wirtz. Liverpool need that connection to develop quickly. With Hugo Ekitike sidelined until around the turn of the year, the burden up front falls squarely on Isak.

St James’ Park Return Adds Extra Edge

The fixture list has also provided a rather obvious subplot. Liverpool open with a trip to Newcastle, which means Isak returns to St James’ Park straight away. Given how his exit played out, nobody should expect a warm welcome. Fine. Elite forwards are supposed to handle that. In truth, it may even suit him.

If he scores there, the story changes fast. Football can be brutal, but it is also very simple. Big games, big moments, big players. That is the territory Isak was bought for.

Our View

From a Liverpool fan’s perspective, this feels like the right time to back Isak properly. Last season was messy for him and for the team, and injuries destroyed any chance of momentum. It is very easy to label a striker after one disrupted year, especially when the fee is so huge, but supporters have seen enough quality to believe there is a serious player here.

What gives real hope is that he does not need five chances to score when he is fully fit. He is sharp, intelligent and more complete than some give him credit for. If Iraola can build a system that gets runners close to him and keeps him healthy, Liverpool could suddenly look far more dangerous.

There is also something appealing about the pressure on him. Some players shrink when people start calling them a flop. Others take it personally. Fans will hope Isak falls into the second category. The trip back to Newcastle is the perfect stage for that response.

No one is asking for miracles. Liverpool just need the version of Isak that justified the £125m outlay. If they get that, this conversation changes very quickly, and so might Liverpool’s season.